Dress needed - any ideas?

[Hoppinggreen]

Hi All
would anyone like to help me find a dress (or similar) for an event?
Must cover knees and shoulders - says this on the invite
Black tie
Size 16 hourglass, don't love my legs but good boobs
5 ft 5
I am in my 50's
I like colour
Brown hair and olive skin
Have a dread of looking "matronly" or "frumpy"
Have dodgy feet so will have to wear reasonably comfy shoes
Willing to pay up to £200
I like the below but think it might be for someone thinner
Petite Joanna Gold Open Back Sparkle Dress – Ro&Zo

Thank you in advance

Here you go.

Also in green.

Yes, I think it was the word 'flaunting.' And this, not by you, but another PP

I’d say it is code for not tacky, I.e not short, not strapless (or thin straps) and no cleavage on show.

I don't disagree that the OP should adhere to the dress code, but I really dislike language that sounds like shaming women for their bodies or their choices.

I think maybe you’re being really sensitive, and a few others are the same. Nothing wrong with flaunting your body, just this isn’t the venue, and I’d also argue that some dresses are tacky, just my view, if that means I’m shaming women for their choices, then so be it. I’ve done my fair share of tacky, and I am happy to put my hand up and own it.

OP, what about something like this? I know this one is expensive and a bit on the short side, but I saw someone in something extremely similar the other night but a bit longer. She said it was from M&S and she looked amazing.

Thank you but I would look absolutely awful in that.
I can't do high necks (although I promise not to flaunt my boobs too much)

Re boob "flaunting" (yes it was my word, it's a good word!) I have huge boobs and choose my necklines very carefully. I don't like showing too much cleavage, personally. I wear v-necks but not too low.

Anyway, I totally get why you're avoiding high neck, OP - depends on the style of top/dress but it rarely works if you have bigger boobs.

Yes, I do get the impression OP considers anything not low cut to be frumpy. Also, quite a few people recommending dresses with cleavage or back exposed and I don't see how this make sense if shoulders and knees aren't allowed. Surely it means not revealing in general.

Not anything low cut, I don't suit high necks and full on beading can be a bit "matronly" IME.
I will not have my boobs out (well not much)

Have you looked at Sosander? They have lots of lovely dresses. I'm popping into store later this week as I have a similar event but need to go and try on to see what fits.

I think one person's "frumpy" can be another person's chic. I feel frumpy in frills and very floral Laura Ashley type prints, but I see other people wearing them who look great. Similarly, I wear a lot of vintage dresses that people here would probably consider frumpy, but it makes me feel good, so I wear them anyway.

That's one thing I love about fashion - it's so individual and expressive. The world would be a very boring place if we were all the same!

Same with "tacky" - I'm sure a lot of people think I'm tacky in my mini skirts and skimpy tops at 40 - I don't care, I think I look great 🤣

Assuming it's dinner I would say the shoulder requirement is more about the armpit than the shoulder itself. The Army community thinks it a bit 'off' to have exposed armpits at the table, so either some kind of sleeve or a wrap would be preferred. The below-the-knee requirement takes into account that you will be sitting down and (clutches pearls) anything shorter will display thigh. All rules more honoured in the breach than observance but that's harder for guests to play fast & loose with.
For the shape you describe I'd go longer and inject some va va voom via a deep v neck. It least half the room won't notice anything else.
Have fun!

If you are Midlands based, try this shop in Warwick (although I think they do also do online rentals)

Run by a lovely lady with a wide variety of dresses to choose from. I wish I had an event to go to!

www.diffuseretail.co.uk/